Page 47 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2018-2
P. 47

Miroslav S. Zilberman
The President of the United States takes great pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross posthumously to LIEUTENANT MIROSLAV S. ZILBERMAN, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of an E-2C aircraft assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE TWO ONE onboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) while deployed with Commander, United States FIFTH Fleet in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 31 March 2010. Returning from a combat mission over Afghanistan, Bluetail 601 and her crew were making preparations for a carrier landing when the starboard engine started to lose oil pressure.
While the aircraft was enroute to the ship for an immediate landing, the engine degraded to a point at which it had to be shut down. After executing Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization shut down procedures, the starboard propeller failed to feather, causing unequal thrust on each wing of the aircraft. As a result, the aircraft was at its limits of controllability and began a descent that could not be arrested. Realizing all available options to land the aircraft safely were exhausted, Lieutenant Zilberman directed his
crew members to bail out. With the auto pilot incapable of holding the aircraft in an acceptable attitude, he manually held the aircraft stable while his crew safely exited the aircraft, leaving him little chance to escape. All three aviators successfully bailed out of the aircraft with no injuries. As the last crewman onboard the barely controllable aircraft, Lieutenant Zilberman was unable to exit the aircraft, sacrificing his life to save his crew. Without his courageous actions, the entire crew would have perished. By his superb airmanship, inspiring courage, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions, Lieutenant Zilberman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Roger E. Wise
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Wise for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Wise distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 August 1970 while serving as a Helicopter Pilot with D Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry. On that date, Warrant Officer Wise was flying a helicopter gunship in support of a Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol in contact with a large enemy force. Throughout the ensuing battle, Warrant Officer Wise repeatedly braved the
devastating volumes of hostile fire in order to effectively engage the determined insurgents. Despite poor visibility and deteriorating weather conditions, he displayed outstanding skill while
adroitly maneuvering his aircraft to provide close support for the
recovery of several downed helicopter crews. With complete
disregard for his personal safety, Warrant Officer Wise continued to aggressively press the attack on the determined enemy emplacements until the friendly ground unit was successfully evacuated from the area. Through his timely and courageous actions, he was instrumental to the success of the mission and minimized friendly casualties. Warrant Officer Wise's personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 23d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
48 / DFCS News Magazine / WINTER 2018
























































































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